Sinn Féin - On Your Side

DUP warned 'all-Ireland role set to increase whatever happens on November 24th '

Sinn Féin Upper Bann MLA John O'Dowd speaking after today's session of the
'Preparation for Government' committee at Stormont today has warned the DUP
that whether they fail the 24th November deadline for the return of the
power-sharing Executive or not that there is a growing demand and acceptance
that expansion of the all-Ireland agenda is essential.

Mr O'Dowd said:

"Regardless of what the DUP may pretend the reality is that there is a
growing demand and acceptance of the need to expand the all-Ireland agenda.

"Whether the DUP fail the 24th November deadline for the return of the
power-sharing Executive or not it is clear that there will be an increase in
the all-Ireland role of the existing bodies.

"Sinn Féin believe that in each case there are very strong arguments in
favour of the expansion of the role and remit of the existing areas of
co-operation and Implementation bodies as well as additional areas of
co-operation and new Implementation Bodies.

"It is up to the two governments to ensure that the expansion of the
all-Ireland agenda is handled smoothly and that the intransig4ence of the
DUP is not allowed to slow the process." ENDS

Note to Editors

Sinn Féin is calling for the expansion of the remits of existing areas of
co-operation:

· Health

· Education

· Tourism

· Agriculture

· Environment

· Transport

Sinn Féin is calling for additional new areas of co-operation:

· Community Development

· Arts and Heritage

· Economic Co-operation

· Public Investment

Sinn Féin is calling for the expansion of the remits of the existing
Implementation Bodies:

· Foyle Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission

· Language - two agencies Ulster Scots and Foras

· InterTradeIreland

· Food Safety Promotion Board

· Special EU Programmes Body

· Waterways Ireland

Sinn Féin is calling for nine additional new Implementation Bodies:

· Justice

· Policing

· Social Economy

· Energy

· Rural Development

· Pollution Control

· Mental Health

· Communications

· Higher and Further Education

Sinn Féin is also seeking to develop the potential of the Cross Border
Corridor Group through its cross border corridor strategy.